Stepladder



June 13, 1933. w. M. SAMPLE STEPLADDER Filed Dec. 28, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 grime/mm Z%2v-fiz 57". Jam v76.

Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES WARREN M. SAMPLE, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA STEPLADDER Application filed December 28, 1931. Serial No. 583,512

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in step ladders.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a step ladder of the character embodying legs hinged to a head member with an extension shelf hingedly connected to the head of the step ladder to occupy a position when folded adjacent the rear legs of the ladder to occupy a minimum of space so that the ladder when folded or collapsed is of compact form, the extension shelf when in operative position being disposed above the step ladder.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective View of a step ladder constructed in accordance with the present invention, the same being illustrated in collapsed or folded condition with the extension shelf and supporting frame disposed adjacent the rear supporting legs of the step ladder;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the step ladder in set-up or extended condition with the extension shelf folded adjacent the rear legs of the ladder;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the step ladder in set-up condition with the extension shelf operatively disposed above the step ladder. and supported by the head thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view partly broken away and taken on line 55 of Fig ure 3;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 66 of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 2.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, the step ladder comprises a head 10 having front supporting legs fixed thereto and rear supporting and brace legs hinged to the head, the front supporting legs being arranged in pairs at each end of the head 10 and designated by the reference characters 1 1 and 12, being preferably of angle iron construction, while the rear hinged supportmg brace legs 13 are also preferably of angle iron construction.

The pa rs of front legs 11 and 12 have steps 14 extending therebetween, the lower ends of the legs 11 and 12 being braced by the con nectlng arms 15 and each leg carries a foot 16. The rear supporting brace legs 13 are connected by a cross-brace 17, the legs being provided with feet 16 and the legs 12 and 13 at each side of the step ladder are connected by hinged brace links 18. The rear legs 13 carry the usual hinged shelf 19 that carries forwardly directed arms 20 engageable with a step 14 for supporting the shelf in horizontal position.

The extension shelf comprises a pair of side and 4. The upper ends .of the side bars 21 are connected by a cross-angle brace 28 and bracing struts 29 extend between the cross brace 28 and side bars 21. To retain the extension frame and shelf in its extended position, a brace rod 30 is pivotally connected as at 31 to each side bar 21 adjacent its lower end and the other end of the brace rod 30 carries a pin 32 adapted to be received in an opening 3260 provided in the adjacent side of the flange 23 depending from the ladder head 10 as shown in Figure 5.

When the ladder is in its collapsed and folded condition as shown in Figure 1, the extension frame is swung downwardly upon the hinge mounting 22 for the side bars 21 after the brace rods 30 have been disengaged from the ladder head 10 to occupy a position adjacent the rear supporting brace legs 13 and said legs 13 are moved upon their hinge connection with the head 10 toward the front legs 11-12. The ladder is illustrated in its set up condition in Figure 2 with the usual 5 hinge shelf 19 extended, while the extension shelf is in its lowered inoperative position adjacent the rear supporting brace leg 13. The extension shelf is illustrated in its elevated operative position in Figure 8, the side bars 21 being moved upon their hinge connection 22 with the ladder head 10, the brace rods 80 having the pins 32 carried thereby being moved into the openings in the head flange 23. The shelf 24 is then extended and is so retained by the hinged brace links 26 shown in Figure 4. V 7 From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and use thereof will at once be apparent, and while there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim 1. A step ladder comprising front legs, a head carried thereby, rear legs hinged to the head, connecting links between the front and rear legs, an extension shelf including side bars hinged to the head. brace rods carried by the bars and detachably engaged with the head, a shelf hinged to the outer ends of the side bars and brace rods between the shelf and side bars to hold the shelf in a horizontal position.

2. A step ladder comprising front legs, a head carried thereby, rear legs hinged to the head. connecting links between the front and rear legs, an extension shelf including side bars hinged to the head, brace rods carried by the bars and detachably engaged with the head. a shelf hinged to the outer ends of the side bars and brace rods between the shelf and side bars to hold the shelf in a horizontal position, the connection bet-ween the brace rods and heads including a pin on each brace rod and said head having opposite side openings for the reception of the pins.

3. A step ladder comprising front legs, a head carried thereby, rear legs hinged to the head. connecting links between the front and rear legs, an extension shelf including side bars hinged to the head, brace rods carried by the bars and detachably engaged with the head. a shelf hinged to the outer ends of the side bars, brace rods between the shelf and side bars to hold the shelf in a horizontal position, a cross brace between the outer ends of the side bars, and brace struts between the cross brace and side bars.

4. A step ladder comprising front legs, a head carried thereby, rear legs hinged to the head, connecting links between the front and rear legs, an extension shelf including side bars hinged to the head, brace rods carried by the bars and detachably engaged with the head, a shelf hinged to the outer ends of the side bars, brace rods between the shelf and side bars to hold the shelf in a horizontal position, the connection between the brace rods and heads including a pin on each brace rod and said head having opposite side openings for the reception of the pins, a cross brace between the outer ends of the side bars, and brace struts between the cross brace and sidebars.

5. A folding step ladder including a head, an extension shelf carried by the head, said shelf having side bars hinged to the head, brace rods carried by the bars and detachably engaged with the head, a shelf hinged to the outer ends of the side bars and brace links between the shelf and side bars.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WARREN M. SAMPLE. 

